Pope Francis was not the first contemporary Pope to speak on evangelization–but his contributions were beautiful and inspiring, and the work was clearly key to his pontificate. Indeed, much of the language below is language used by The Mark 5:19 Project, and not just because a Pope said it–but because it points to joy, gentleness, peace, and importance of Christ the Healer, the One who brings mercy.
Here are some of the most powerful and inspiring quotations from Pope Francis on evangelization, drawn especially his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel):
“Evangelize with Joy”
“The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus.”
— Evangelii Gaudium, 1
This sets the tone for the entire mission of evangelization—not as a burden, but as a joyful sharing of the life-changing encounter with Christ.
“A Church Which Goes Forth”
“I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and clinging to its own security.”
— Evangelii Gaudium, 49
This quote captures Pope Francis’s call to leave comfort zones and reach people where they are. Evangelization is not always neat and tidy.
“Missionary Discipleship”
“Every Christian is a missionary to the extent that he or she has encountered the love of God in Christ Jesus.”
— Evangelii Gaudium, 120
Evangelization isn’t just for the few—it’s the call of every believer, rooted in our baptism.
“The Art of Accompaniment”
“Evangelization consists mostly of patience and disregard for constraints of time.”
— Evangelii Gaudium, 24
Francis often emphasizes that evangelization is not transactional, but a slow, relational process—accompanying people with love and care.
“Mercy as the Heart of Evangelization”
“The thing the Church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful… I see the Church as a field hospital after battle.”
— *Interview with La Civiltà Cattolica, 2013
This image of the Church as a “field hospital” has become one of Pope Francis’s most iconic metaphors for pastoral outreach…and one much beloved by this apostolate.
“Proclamation of Peace”
“An evangelizing community gets involved by word and deed in people’s daily lives… it bridges distances, it is willing to abase itself if necessary, and it embraces human life, touching the suffering flesh of Christ in others.”
— Evangelii Gaudium, 24
The Gospel is not an abstract message—it meets people in their concrete realities. And bearers of the gospel, we must go to them and not wait for them to come to us.
“The Heart of the Gospel (the Kerygma)”
“Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you; and now he is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen and free you.”
— Evangelii Gaudium, 164
This is Pope Francis’s distillation of the essential Christian message, the kerygma. It’s deeply personal, relational, and filled with hope—designed to speak directly to the heart of every person.
“The Parish as Evangelizing Community”
“The parish is not an outdated institution; precisely because it possesses great flexibility, it can assume quite different contours depending on the openness and missionary creativity of the pastor and the community. While certainly not the only institution which evangelizes, if the parish proves capable of self-renewal and constant adaptivity, it continues to be ‘the Church living in the midst of the homes of her sons and daughters.’”
— Evangelii Gaudium, 28
This quotation affirms the parish not as a relic, but as a vital, adaptable, missionary hub—as long as it remains dynamic and outward-looking.
Rest in peace, Pope Francis (1936-2025). May the angels welcome him to paradise.
Photo by Long Thein, Creative Commons license.
